The true gain more in worth then all the goods in the worldThe true gaine more in worth then all the goods in the world

Lastly hence we learn, how Christ is to be received of us. Such as would truly come to Christ and receive him, must make losses of all things: they must come naked and emptied of all their own righteousness. As men in a shipwreck cast out their commodities, and when there is no remedy leave their ship and betake themselves to the sea, & thus come swimming to the shore: even so must all men first forsake all, & then come to Christ. Beggars, that they may obtain their alms, come in their rag• unfolding legs and arms, that their sores and botches may be seen. Benadad king of Syria, that he might recover ⟨p. 12⟩the favour of the king of Israel, castes off his crown and royal robes: he and his men come in sackcloth with halters about their heads: and thus he obtains his desire. In like manner coming to Christ, we must lay aside all opinion of our own goodness, and in abasing of our selves follow beggars fashions, and with Benhadad clothe our selves with signs of guiltiness and confusion of face. We must first be annihilated and utterly in respect of goodness be made nothing in our selves, that we may be what we are out of our selves in Christ. There is no entering into the kingdom of heaven, except we receive it & Christ as a little child in all meekness and humility. For there must be nothing in us to receive Christ, but mere faith resting on mere mercy. Let all such think on this, as desire to be in Christ, and to receive true comfort by him.

Lastly hence we learne, howe Christ is to be receiued of vs. Such as would truely come to Christ and receiue him, must make losses of al things: they must come naked and emptied of all their owne righteousnesse. As men in a shipwracke cast out their commodities, and when there is no remedie leaue their ship and betake themselues to the sea, & thus come swimming to the shore: euen so must all men first forsake all, & then come to Christ. Beggars, that they may obtaine their almes, come in their rag• vnfolding legges and armes, that their sores and botches may be seene. Benadad king of Syria, that he might recouer ⟨p. 12⟩the fauour of the king of Israel, castes off his crowne and royall robes: he and his men come in sackcloath with halters about their heads: and thus he obtaines his desire. In like manner comming to Christ, we must lay aside all opinion of our owne goodnesse, and in abasing of our selues follow beggars fashions, and with Benhadad cloath our selues with signes of guiltinesse and confusion of face. We must first be annihilated and vtterly in respect of goodnesse be made nothing in our selues, that we may be what we are out of our selues in Christ. There is no entring into the kingdome of heauē, except we receiue it & Christ as a little child in all meeknesse and humilitie. For there must be nothing in vs to receiue Christ, but meere faith resting on meere mercy. Let all such think on this, as desire to be in Christ, and to receiue true comfort by him.